WASHINGTON – Internet users are increasingly turning to e-government sites to carry out their business with government. But Internet users and non-users alike value having more than one way to get in touch with government. New research by the Pew Internet & American Life Project shows that 97 million adult Americans, or 77% of Internet users, took advantage of e-gov in 2003, whether that meant going to government Web sites or emailing government officials. This represented a growth of 50% from 2002. At the same time, citizens who contact government said they are more likely to turn to traditional means – either the telephone or in-person visits – rather than the Web or email to deal with government. The new Pew Internet Project report, called “How Americans Get in Touch With Government,” surveyed Americans on how they deal with government, what methods they use, and how e-government compares with traditional methods such as the telephone or letters as a tool for citizens engaging public agencies. The findings of the Pew Internet Project survey will be reported on Tuesday, May 25 to the Management of Change Conference in Philadelphia by Project Director Lee Rainie. The conference is sponsored by the American Council for Technology (ACT). Rainie will argue that the findings show the benefits and limits of e-government applications. E-government increases the flow of information between citizens and government, allowing people to contact agencies directly over the Web or find out more about a problem they may need government assistance with before they pick up the phone. And it allows people to comment easily on civic issues of the day. Specifically: